Toothbrush device



Dec. 27, Q J. ADCOCK TOOTHBRUSH DEVICE Filed March 5, 1964 fl l l l. l l l l l NM. i

v INVENTOR 'l Caer/s J. Hacoc/z W W y d. TNPJI United States Patent 3,294,100 TOQTHBRUSH DEVICE Curtis J. Adcock, Rte. 3, Grand River Road, Newburgh, Warrick County, Ind. 47630 Filed Mar. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 349,013 2 Claims. (Cl. 132-84) The present invention relates to a toothbrush device, and more particularly to a new and novel portable toothbrush which approximates a fountain pen in over-all size.

As is known, and for best oral hygiene, it is wise to brush your teeth on a periodic basis, generally after eating. Moreover, it is oftentimes difficult to accomplish this preferred procedure because, for example, of travel, either where the toothbrush is located-in packed luggage away from your person or where, as in camping, the toothbrush and required tooth paste or tooth power are out of convenience for use.

Accordingly, by virtue of the instant invention, the applicant herein has provided a new and novel toothbrush device which assumes the overall size of a conventional fountain pen, and where the necessary dentifrice material is positioned within such overall structure in a refill form. Broadly, the applicants new and novel invention comprises a casing defined by a -base and a cap, a Ibristle carrying structure disposed, when not in use, within such casing, and a removable refill-type dentifrice holder positioned within the aforesaid base of the casing, all being readily assembled with ease, and in a unit representing optimum eiciency in carrying as well as in use.

In this latter regard, a spring-type clip typically mounted on the cover of the casing permits the ready securing of the toothbrush device on the person of the user, and associated control mechanism per-mits the ready dispensing of the dentifrice into the bristle area. Overall, the instant invention represents simplified manufacturing, and a convenience and effectiveness in use not available heretofore.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present in- Vention is to provide a new and novel portable toothbrush device which approximates a common fountain pen in overall size.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel portable toothbrush device utilizing a refill type source of dentifrice.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel toothbrush device wherein the dentifrice is selectively dispensed into the bristle area of the unit.

A still further and more general object of the present invention is to .provide a new and novel toothbrush device which is readily manufactured from a minimum number of components, which is light in weight, which is readily used, and, which provides a convenience not present heretofore.

Other objects and a better understanding of the present invention will become lmore apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein FIG. 1 is a View in cross section showing a toothbrush device in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan View of the applicants new and novel toothbrush device of FIG. l; and,

FIG. 3 is a view in section, taken at line 3-3 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing still further details of the invention at hand.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the dravm'ng and specific language will be used to describe the same. KIt will never- ICC theless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated thereinbeing contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. l l

Referring now to the figures, the applicants new and novel toothbrush device 10 comprises a casing 11 defined by a hollow-open ended cap portion 12 and a hollow-open ended base portion 14, where the base portion 14 is adapted to receive a removable dentifrice storing member 20 therewithin, to be described herebelow. In any event, the base portion 14 of the casing 11 has threads 14a at its open end which correspond with internal threads 12a on the open end of the cap portion 12, so that positive assembly of these portions may be readily accomplished.

In any event, the dentifrice storing member 20 has a iiexible tubing 21 extending therefrom, which exible tubing 21 typically has a threaded raised portion 22. The flexible tubing 21 is adapted to extend into an elongated opening disposed within a bristle carrying portion 25 of the toothbrush 10, where an internally threaded enlarged portion 25a in the latter is adapted to receive the threaded lportion 22 on the flexible tubing 21.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the free end 21a of the flexible tubing 21 is proximate the mid-area of the bristles 25b on the bristle carrying portion 25, so that dentifrice can be readily and centrally dispensed during use. The overall assembly is completed by threaded portions 14b and 25e on the base portion 14 and the bristle carrying portion 25, respectively, which permit effective assembly and disassembly.

The removable dentifrice storing member 20 is typically -made from a resilient plastic material, where a pivotal control mechanism 30, typically in the form of a common fountain pen bladder emptying and filling arrangement, is positioned on the base portion 14 of the casing 11 so as, when in use, to come into contact with the outer surface of the dentifrice storing member 20. -In this regard, and briefly, a three-part engaging member 31, hooked onto the axis of the dispensing lever 32, is the yactual component engaged during pivoting of the latter, whereupon, the dentifrice ows .from the dentifrice storing member 20, through the flexible tubing 21, and from the free end 21a of the latter onto the base of the bristles 25b.

The overall assembly is completed by a spring type tension member 1=8 which is disposed on the cap portion 12 of the casing 11.` As mentioned hereabove, such spring permits the ready and positive clutchin-g of the toothbrush structure on the person of the user, as, for example, along the edge of a shirt pocket.

In use, and in initial assembly, the prepackaged dentifrice storing means 20 is inserted within the opening in the base portion 14 of the casing 11, and the flexible tubing 21 thereof caused to extend through the opening in the bristle carrying portion 25. In order to accomplish an effective assembled relationship, the threads on the raised portion 22 of the flexible tubing 21 and the internal threads 25a on the enlarged portion within the bristle carrying portion 25 come into engagement, and assembly is finally achieved when the free end 21a of the exible tubing 21 reaches approximately the midarea of the bristles 25b. In any event, a compact overall unit results, in that the bristle carrying portion 25 and the base portion 14 are then assembled through coaction of threaded portions 14b and 25C.

Thereafter, when it is desired to brush the teeth, the control mechanism 30 is activated, through the pivoting of the dispensing lever 32, causing the dentifrice to flow, as described hereabove. Such a procedure continues from time to time until the dentifrice storing member 20 is empty, where relling with an exchange unit is then conveniently effected in accordance with disassembly and reassembly of the above discussed components.

When the toothbrush structure 10 is carried about, the cap portion 12 of the casing 11 is threaded onto the body portion 14, assuming an overall appearance of a fountain pen, and, as stated, one which is conveniently positioned on the person of the user, as on a shirt or coat pocket, for example. t

From the preceding, it should be apparent that the applicant herein has provided a new and novel reiillable toothbrush device, requiring a minimum number of components readily cooperable with each other to effect convenience not at all present heretofore.

The toothbrush described above is susceptible to various changes within the spirit of the invention. For example, dimensioning may be varied, alternative dispensing control mechanisms employed, and component parts broken into individual units. dentifrice is shown as entering the midarea of the bristle portion, there may be one or more openings, so that dentifrice is spread in different areas throughout the bristle portion. Thus, the preceding description should be considered illustrative, and not as limiting the scope of the following claims:

I claim:

1. A toothbrush structure comprising a casing having a cap portion anda base portion, a removable den- Moreover, although the tifrice containingV member disposed within said base portion of said casing, said removable dentifrice containing member having a preassembled elongated exible tubing extending therefrom, a bristle carrying member engaging said base portion of said casing, where bristles thereon are concealed by said cap portion in a condition of nonuse, a passageway in said bristle carrying member communicating with said bristles and receiving said elongated flexible tubing from said dentifrice containing member, means securing said elongated llexible tubing within said passageway in said bristle carrying member, and dispensing means disposed on said base portion of said casing effecting flow of dentifrice.

2. The toothbrush structure of claim 1 Where saidsecuring means is delined as a threaded portion on said elongated flexible tubing cooperating with an internal threaded portion in said passageway.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,322,413 11./1919 Ekmekjian 15--554 X 1,855,572 4/1932 Gabriel 132-84 2,527,741 10/1950 Lamonde 15-554 X 2,738,528 3/1956 Fridge 15-29 X CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

P. R. ARVIDSON, S. E. BECK, Assistant Examiners. 

1. A TOOTHBRUSH STRUCTURE COMPRISING A CASING HAVING A CAP PORTION AND A BASE PORTION, A REMOVABLE DENTIFRICE CONTAINING MEMBER DISPOSED WITHIN SAID BASE PORTION OF SAID CASING, SAID REMOVABLE DENTIFRICE CONTAINING MEMBER HAVING A PREASSEMBLED ELONGATED FLEXIBLE TUBING EXTENDING THEREFROM, A BRISTLE CARRYING MEMBER ENGAGING SAID BASE PORTION OF SAID CASING, WHERE BRISTLES THEREON ARE CONCEALED BY SAID CAP PORTION IN A CONDITION OF NONUSE, A PASSAGEWAY IN SAID BRISTLE CARRYING MEMBER COMMUNICATING WITH SAID BRISTLES AND RECEIVING SAID ELONGATED FLEXIBLE TUBING FROM SAID DENTIFRICE SAID MEMBER, MEANS SECURING SAID ELONGATED FLEXIBLE TUBING WITHIN SAID PASSAGEWAY IN SAID BRISTLE CARRYING MEMBER, AND DISPENSING MEANS DISPOSED ON SAID BASE PORTION OF SAID CASING EFFECTING FLOW OF DENTIFRICE. 